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China Secures 70 Countries' Support for Potential Taiwan Action
Amidst global conflicts, China secured support from 70 countries, mainly from the Global South, for its potential use of "all means" to reunify with Taiwan, significantly weakening potential international condemnation of a military action.
- How did China leverage its economic influence to gain support for its stance on Taiwan?
- Over the past 18 months, these 70 countries, primarily from the Global South, have publicly echoed China's stance. China leveraged its Belt and Road Initiative to gain influence and secure support, highlighting the strategic use of economic ties for political advantage. This alignment significantly reduces the likelihood of a UN resolution condemning a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
- What are the long-term implications of China's diplomatic success in isolating Taiwan internationally?
- China's diplomatic offensive leaves Taiwan increasingly isolated within the UN, with only 12 countries maintaining diplomatic recognition. This contrasts with Russia's experience in Ukraine, demonstrating China's learning from Russia's international isolation following its invasion. The secured support from a majority of UN states suggests that China anticipates less international condemnation and fewer sanctions than Russia faced.
- What is the global significance of China securing the support of 70 countries regarding a potential military action against Taiwan?
- China has secured the support of 70 countries for a potential military action against Taiwan, using the global distraction of the US election, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and the Gaza conflict. This support is crucial for China as it aims to mitigate international condemnation of a potential invasion. These 70 countries have adopted Beijing's rhetoric that China has the right to use "all means" to achieve Taiwan's reunification, explicitly including military force.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the article emphasizes the threat posed by China to Taiwan and the growing international support for China's position. The headline and introduction highlight China's strategic moves and Taiwan's vulnerability, potentially shaping the reader's perception of the situation as one of impending conflict. While the article presents facts, the narrative structure and emphasis on China's actions contribute to a sense of inevitability and Taiwan's helplessness.
Language Bias
The article uses relatively neutral language, although terms like "aggressive", "provocates", and "annexation" carry negative connotations. While these terms are factually accurate descriptions of China's actions, they could be replaced with more neutral options such as 'assertive', 'challenges', and 'claims'. The description of China's actions as 'isolation' of Taiwan could also be replaced by a more neutral description such as 'diplomatic efforts' or 'strategic maneuvering'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on China's actions and the potential consequences for Taiwan, but gives less attention to Taiwan's perspective, agency, and efforts towards self-determination. While the article mentions Taiwan's lobbying efforts, it doesn't delve into the specifics of their international relations or strategies beyond "Masken-Diplomatie". The economic and political factors influencing the 70 countries supporting China are discussed, but the internal political dynamics within Taiwan regarding this issue are largely absent. This omission might leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between China and Taiwan, with less emphasis on the complexities of international relations and the nuanced positions of various countries. While acknowledging that some countries support China's claim, it doesn't explore the reasons behind the varying degrees of support or the potential for alternative outcomes. The framing suggests an inevitable path towards conflict, overlooking the possibility of diplomatic solutions or other less aggressive actions by China.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights China's efforts to secure support from 70 countries for a potential military action against Taiwan. This undermines international peace and security, challenging the principles of peaceful conflict resolution and respect for sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter. The potential for armed conflict and the disregard for Taiwan's self-determination directly contradict the goals of maintaining international peace and justice.